Khewra Salt Mine is a tourist attraction
complete with a salt mosque and an electric train. A centuries-old salt mine is
also offering asthma therapy, attracting patients from all over the world.

Salt mines of Eastern Europe and a
synthetic clinic in Britain. Clinics claim that asthma patients and sufferers
of other respiratory illnesses benefit from inhaling antibacterial salt
particles in a sterile environment, helping loosen mucus and clear the lung
passages. Although there have been few clinical studies, salt caves are seen by
some as a therapeutic alternative to drugs and there are natural and synthetic
salt caves springing up all over the world. While other clinics offer treatment
for bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, and even ear infections

The Clinic claims that asthma patients
and sufferers of other respiratory illnesses benefit from inhaling
antibacterial salt particles in a sterile environment, which helps loosen mucus
and clears the lung passages. Khewra clinic only treats patients whose asthma
is triggered by allergies.

It is located deep underground in the
mine, the asthma clinic resembles an up-market guesthouse, with 12 beds covered
in white sheets and red blankets in six independent cabins separated with salt
bricks and softly lit by lamps.

There is a reception area decorated with
salt lamps and a lounge complete with a fountain, sofas and a television set. The
walls and roof of the clinic are made from pure salt and a fan helps maintain
the temperature and humidity, creating the so-called “micro-climate” that
offers patients relief.

A 10-day course at the Khewra Mines salt
therapy centre costs Rs5,300, with 11 hours a day spent in the caves while
nights are spent in a nearby hospital. Since opening in 2007, the clinic has
treated about 500 patients. Clinic Authority claims that 60 per cent of
patients experience some relief from their symptoms and says patients have come
from as far as Canada, Britain and Saudi Arabia.

An authority (Managing Director) at the
Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation, a government body which owns the
mine, says they will assess the success of the Khewra clinic before approving
its expansion to 100 beds.